Robert Loupo- Executive Director

Robert Loupo, co-founder and executive director of Safe Schools South Florida, has degrees in English, history and English education. After 14 years as a high school English teacher he became a TRUST counselor at a Miami-Dade middle school and earned National Board Certification as a school counselor. Robert has been an unflagging advocate for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth and educators for over twenty years.

Robert was named 2010-2011 TRUST Counselor of the Year for Miami-Dade County Public Schools, and was given the first Rainbow Circle Award by Pridelines Youth Services in August 2011.

He also has received numerous awards over the past several from the Commissioners of the City of Miami, City of MIami Police, and Miami-Dade Citizens' Crime Watch for his work in reducing crime in his community of Coconut Grove.

Enbar Cohen- Assistant Director

After coming out to her particularly religious family, Enbar had a rough time finding acceptance both at school and at home. She decided to dedicate her time and efforts in educating other youth and school officials on the dangers they face both at school and at home once they “come out.” She continues to work tirelessly in the community with various organizations, such as the Aqua Foundation, but was particularly drawn to the mission and work of Safe Schools South Florida. After completing her Undergraduate degree in Political Science, she will continue her education at Law School. Enbar is actively involved in local politics with aspirations to run for her district’s House seat and, eventually, U.S. Senate. Her enthusiasm, dedication, and selflessness has, indeed, served as a model for our community.

Melanie Frey- Administrative & Finance Director

Melanie Frey is our Finance and Administrative Director. Melanie has worked as a long-time school and church administrative secretary. She has been married to her husband, Mark, for 21 years. She has 3 children - David, Jonathan and Alexa. Melanie is a Co-Founder of Proud Parents of Lesbian and Gay Children, and an active member of PFLAG and the Broward Safe To Be Me Coalition.

Albert Menard, Administration

Albert Menard has a bachelor degree in elementary education and a masters in education. He taught science in elementary school in Woonsocket, RI for almost 30 years and won several awards for teaching science and economics. After retiring, he led a group of graduate students gathering information on gay men's health issues in Miami-Dade and became an instructor on effective use of a national line of science text books.

Hector Zuazo- Volunteer Outreach

Hector Zuazo was born in Cuba back in the days when you did not talk about homosexuality. He is a retired high school teacher for Miami-Date County Public Schools. Hector wants to “do whatever he can to make sure our future generations don't have to put up with such nonsense”.

Marilyn K. Volker, ED.D. Sexologist

Marilyn Volker, sexuality educator for the past thirty seven (37) years, is a Diplomat of the American Board of Sexology and an Associate Fellow of The American Academy of Clinical Sexologists. She is adjunct faculty of three South Florida universities – University of Miami, Florida International University, and St. Thomas University. Dr. Volker trains counselors to become sex therapists through the Florida Post-Graduate Sex Therapy Training Institute and sits on doctoral committees for The Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Sexology for Sex Therapists. Dr. Volker has served as sexuality consultant for a variety of addiction/trauma treatment facilities state and nationwide and has written many articles for publications addressing sexuality issues in recovery. Dr. Volker teaches in the sexuality programs for three medical schools – University of Miami, Ross University and Florida International University

Denise Palazzo- Trainer

De Palazzo is a conflict resolution educator with a deep interest in opening up dialogue with youth and adults who have diverse interests and backgrounds. De is President of Perspectives Unlimited, Inc. and in this role delivers intercultural understanding workshops, anti-bias trainings and conflict solution workshops to community and corporate organizations. She also writes violence prevention curriculum as a consultant and contractor with various school districts across the nation, and has delivered peacebuilding curriculum to youth in Central America. Holding dual masters in education and in conflict resolution, De is an activist and an advocate for marginalized youth and is committed to empowering young people in schools and universities, as well as adults, to become change agents for a more peace-filled world.

Priscilla Dames- Trainer

Priscilla Dames is the founder and CEO of Wingspan Seminars, a conflict resolution company that focuses on strengthening relationships while creating positive environments. She is a nationally certified crisis trainer and member of the Florida State Crisis Response Team. Ms. Dames has realized her dream by speaking and training internationally in such venues as Nigeria, Kenya and the Bahamas in her area of expertise, topics of conflict.

Wingspan incorporates Wings on Women by partnering with the Coordinated Victim’s Assistance Center and Ms. Dames chairing the Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce’s Women’s Business Council. Priscilla Dames has been appointed to the Miami-Dade County’s Black Affairs Advisory Board where she has been elected Chairperson.

Brian Braun - SpeakOUT Bureau Coordinator

Brian has been involved in various human rights issues, particularly GLBTQ issues, since his university days in the early 1970's. Formerly an engineer for oil production companies in Canada and overseas for 25 years, Brian has worked as a technical writer for software companies in South Florida for the past seven years. He brings his technical skills, as well as his professionally developed interpersonal skills to SSSF as Coordinator of the SpeakOUT Bureau, an adult speakers bureau. Brian brings his love and appreciation of people and diversity to Safe Schools South Florida and works to preserve the integrity of our programs, empowering the speakers who present to the GLBTQ youth and their allies.

Lisa La Monica Braun - Youth Speaker Trainer and Youth Panelist Program Coordinator

After seven years in the classroom, Lisa recognized her path to be that of a high school guidance counselor, now serving as an educator for 32 years. Some 18 years ago, she answered the call for Miami-Dade County Public School educators interested in supporting GLBTQ youth and has done so ever since, working in tandem with Robert Loupo. Lisa facilitates in-school support groups for GLBTQ students, serves as a Gay Straight Alliance sponsor, and is co-creator of Living Rainbow, a student-driven sociodrama troupe. She dedicates herself to issues regarding discrimination, school safety, legislation and education on a multitude of levels. Lisa’s youth speaker training and youth support programs are among her most treasured contributions to the well-being of GLBTQ youth and the life-affirming work of Safe Schools South Florida.